Page 54 - SN 4 July-Aug 2022 cover.indd

P LACES
3G pitches are increasingly being used by professional clubs
as an additional guidance document to offer advice on the different types of infill available in the UK market. All the codes are updated through periodic reviews.
What does the future of turf look like?
There is ongoing innovation within a number of aspects of synthetic turf. The three main areas of development are considered to be around the development of 4G surfaces, the use of alternative infills to rubber in existing pitches and the use of recycled materials in the production of yarn for synthetic turf.
In the development of genuine 4G systems, manufacturers are developing non-filled
(or sand stabilised) longer pile carpets. These products, while in their infancy in the UK, are already being trialled in Europe.
The use of alternative infills within existing 3G systems, meanwhile, is becoming more prevalent across Europe with materials such as cork, olive pits, coconut husk, wood and walnut shell.
Innovation is also focused on making synthetic pitches more sustainable. On
this front, The Football Foundation, in partnership with SAPCA, is carrying out
a trial in Sheffield later this year, which
will look at various synthetic turf systems
in a community setting to assess their performance and viability in the UK climate.
54 SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK
JUL/AUG 2022
CASE STUDIES
Synthetic turf surfaces are used both indoors and
outdoors
● Want to know more about synthetic turf? Or find out about the companies that design, install and maintain the UK’s synthetic pitches? Get in touch: info@sapca.org.uk
In addition, SAPCA introduced its Quality Control Protocol for Sports Performance Infills in 2019, which is aimed to regulate the UK market using the same criteria – which has subsequently become EU law.
What are the standards?
To ensure a pitch can be used for official matches, there are a number of standards to consider and meet. The leading world governing bodies, such as FIFA, World Rugby and the International Hockey Federation (FIH) have set standards
to which playing surfaces must adhere to, in order for them to be able to host games. Meanwhile, outdoor synthetic sports pitches must also meet the European Standard (BS EN 15330-1).
In the UK, SAPCA has published several codes of practice which ensure standards and quality from SAPCA members by setting minimum construction criteria. They can also be used to better understand the up-to-date requirements of installation, to learn about best practice and to study the standards set out by governing bodies.
These include the Code of Practice for the Construction and Maintenance of Synthetic Turf Pitches, which highlights the requirements for both the playing surface and the construction of synthetic pitch facilities. There is also the Code of Practice for the Design, Specification & Testing of Bases for Outdoor Synthetic Sport Areas, published in 2020 and offering enhanced guidance on the design of sports pitch bases and drainage systems. Meanwhile, the Code of Practice for the Selection
and Use of Sports Performance Infills in 3G Artificial Turf was developed in 2021
© SIS PITCHES
© SC SLATTER